MANILA, Philippines - Candidates filing their certificates of candidacy (COCs) next month will have until Dec. 21 to decide if they really want to run in next year’s election.
In Resolution No. 9518 the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday that after Dec. 21, substitution of candidates will no longer be allowed.
“The substitute of a candidate who has withdrawn on or before Dec. 21, 2012 may file his COC for the office affected not later than Dec. 21, 2012 so that the name of the substitute will be reflected on the official ballots,” the Comelec said.
However, the Comelec said a substitute for a candidate who had died or is disqualified by final judgment may file his COC up to noon of election day, “provided that the substitute and the substituted have the same surnames.”
“If the death or disqualification should occur between the day before the election and mid-day of election day, the substitute candidate may file his COC within any Board of Election Inspectors in the political subdivision where he is a candidate,” Comelec said.
No substitution shall be allowed for independent candidates.
Senators must file their COCs with the Comelec Law Department in the central office in Intramuros, Manila.